The Changing Nature of Communication Technology

Contributions of the Past The history of communication systems is rich with spectacular innovations and inventions. The history of communication systems is rich with spectacular innovations and inventions. Many of them completely changed people’s lives. Many of them completely changed people’s lives.

Johannes Gutenberg’s use of “moveable type” in the middle of the fifteenth century made it possible to print books quickly. Johannes Gutenberg’s use of “moveable type” in the middle of the fifteenth century made it possible to print books quickly. For the first time books became available to all people, not just the elite. For the first time books became available to all people, not just the elite. Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone allowed two people to talk to each other without being face to face. Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone allowed two people to talk to each other without being face to face. Computers have changed our lives in countless ways. Computers have changed our lives in countless ways.

Until the middle of the 1800’s, the majority of people spent most of their waking hours growing and harvesting food. Until the middle of the 1800’s, the majority of people spent most of their waking hours growing and harvesting food. The Industrial Revolution of the mid-nineteenth century changed that. The Industrial Revolution of the mid-nineteenth century changed that. For the first time in history more people began to work in Industries that on farms. The Age of Industry had begun. For the first time in history more people began to work in Industries that on farms. The Age of Industry had begun.

Information Age Now we live in the Information Age. Now we live in the Information Age. As our factories become more automated, fewer people are employed in the production of goods. As our factories become more automated, fewer people are employed in the production of goods. At the same time there has been an explosion of information. At the same time there has been an explosion of information. This information is often called data. This information is often called data. New communication systems allow us to handle this information with relative ease. New communication systems allow us to handle this information with relative ease. That is why may people refer to our time as the information age. That is why may people refer to our time as the information age.

Changes in Communication If you look at the big picture of communication, you can spot some changes taking place. If you look at the big picture of communication, you can spot some changes taking place. These include: These include: ComputerizationComputerization DigitizationDigitization IntegrationIntegration Growing use of computers in the homeGrowing use of computers in the home

Computerization Single most significant change is computerization. Single most significant change is computerization. More and more, communication systems are relying upon the power of computers to make them work. More and more, communication systems are relying upon the power of computers to make them work. There are microprocessors inside your telephone, television, radio, cd player, camera, photocopier etc. There are microprocessors inside your telephone, television, radio, cd player, camera, photocopier etc.

Many Benefits of Computerization Increased quality and reliability Increased quality and reliability Quick turn around time – computers eliminate some tasks resulting in quicker communication. Quick turn around time – computers eliminate some tasks resulting in quicker communication. Save money – speeding up communication process means fewer work hours and reduced wage expenses. Save money – speeding up communication process means fewer work hours and reduced wage expenses.

Miniaturization Miniaturization means to make things smaller. Miniaturization means to make things smaller. Computers used to be monstrous in size. Now they are smaller and getting smaller all the time. Computers used to be monstrous in size. Now they are smaller and getting smaller all the time. As they get smaller, they will also get cheaper. (Calculators of the early 70’s cost hundreds of dollars and took up most of the desktop) As they get smaller, they will also get cheaper. (Calculators of the early 70’s cost hundreds of dollars and took up most of the desktop)

Digitization A watch with hour and minute hands is an analog time keeper. A watch with hour and minute hands is an analog time keeper. Since it is in constant movement, it is never really the exact time. Since it is in constant movement, it is never really the exact time. Communication systems have traditionally been analog systems. Communication systems have traditionally been analog systems. Since computers are now taking over communication systems, they are becoming digital. Since computers are now taking over communication systems, they are becoming digital.

Integration Digital data can be transferred easily between systems. Digital data can be transferred easily between systems. A digital photograph can be passed to a digital printing system very easily. A digital photograph can be passed to a digital printing system very easily. Fax machines send digital text and graphics over the telephone lines. Fax machines send digital text and graphics over the telephone lines. This trend is called integration, or combining, of communication systems. This trend is called integration, or combining, of communication systems.

Computers in Every Home More and more computers are finding their way into people’s homes. More and more computers are finding their way into people’s homes. Businesses are finding more ways to communicate with consumers through the home computer. Businesses are finding more ways to communicate with consumers through the home computer. You can now shop online, book reservations, trade stock, online banking etc. etc. You can now shop online, book reservations, trade stock, online banking etc. etc.

Different World The ability to transmit information instantly around the globe makes it a much different world than it was just a few decades ago. The ability to transmit information instantly around the globe makes it a much different world than it was just a few decades ago. It truly is “The Information Age” It truly is “The Information Age”